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Board reviews first reading of 2026–27 budget, approves boiler‑upgrade contract and bond refunding resolution
Summary
At first reading the board reviewed a proposed 2026–27 budget with roughly $470 million in revenues, discussed grant-driven cuts and potential restorations, and approved authorization for a boiler‑upgrade contract and Resolution 26‑10 to refund bonds, which directors said would save taxpayer money.
The Edmonds School District Board of Directors received a first reading of the 2026–27 budget and took two formal votes at its June 23 meeting: authorizing a contract for districtwide boiler upgrades and approving a bond refunding resolution.
Budget first reading: Executive Director Lydia Selley presented the budget as a snapshot and said the district’s budgeted revenues for the coming year are just over $470,000,000. She highlighted anticipated enrollment declines of about 233 students, increases in special‑education staffing and paraeducator allocations, and the mechanical accounting treatment of transfers (for example between levy and tech levies). Selley cautioned the figures are preliminary and line items may change before final adoption in July.
Public hearing: The board recessed to hold a public hearing limited to the budget. Speakers reiterated priorities they wanted reflected in the budget — compensating paraeducators, restoring family resource advocates and studying schedule impacts. Staff explained some FRA reductions were the result of grantors’ changing priorities and that the district continues to pursue additional grant funding.
Votes taken: The board voted to authorize a contract award to the Progressive Design Build team for a districtwide boiler upgrades project, approving the budget authorization and delegating contracting authority. The chair called the vote and the motion was approved. The board also completed a second reading and approved Resolution 26‑10 authorizing unlimited‑tax general obligation and refunding bonds for 2026; directors noted the refunding would refinance debt at lower interest rates and save taxpayers “1‑plus million dollars,” according to discussion at the meeting.
What this means: The boiler contract authorization allows staff to finalize contracting with the selected design‑build team and proceed with planned infrastructure work funded from recent levies and capital allocations. The approved bond refunding lets the district refinance outstanding bonds where market conditions lower borrowing costs.
Next steps: The budget returns in July for final adoption. Any restoration of positions tied to grants or reallocated funds will depend on final revenue and grant outcomes; board members encouraged continued state‑level advocacy to address broader funding shortfalls affecting districts statewide.
